The centre-back responded to questions that there was unrest and disharmony in the City camp, which intensified after Saturday’s shocking 5-0 defeat at Crystal Palace, and he said it was the players and not Puel who were to blame.

Maguire admitted City’s performance was simply not good enough, and the buck had to stop with the players .

“We are definitely behind him,” said Maguire.

“He puts us out in the shape and at the end of the day there are 11 players who go out onto the pitch to perform and the 11 who went out there didn’t perform and we deserved to get beat.

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“In the dressing room we are all positive. We want to play and go out and play football. We want to win every game.

“We came into the game today thinking we have enough quality to win the game. We just haven’t performed.

“5-0 may be harsh when you look at it but overall they took every chance they had. All we can do is work hard on the training ground and try to move on.”

Maguire said City couldn’t use the fact events transpired against them with Wilfred Ndidi limping off injured and Marc Albrighton being sent off early in the second half, while Maguire himself conceded a penalty towards the end.